Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has revealed that about 60,000 passport backlogs have been cleared within four working days.
This development was made known by the Media Adviser to the Minister, Babatunde Alao, via a statement on Tuesday.
He said the interior minister, Tunji-Ojo made the disclosure earlier in the day while receiving the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Beta Edu.
The minister assured that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s dministration is working round the clock to address the country’s challenges.
“As of this morning, I can tell you that about 60,000 passport backlogs have been cleared, especially 59,906.
“On Wednesday, September 6, when I gave the two-week ultimatum, we had over 200,000 backlogs. We have recorded progress, and I keep my word that those backlogs must be cleared”, he said.
Recall that the minister last Thursday directed the Nigeria Immigration Service to clear all pending passport applications.
Earlier, Dr Betta Edu, said the visit was informed by the need to extend its hand of partnership to collaborate with the Ministry of Interior as it seeks to drastically reduce human trafficking and other related challenges including poor veterans’ welfare, underemployment and poverty amongst citizens.
She added that the ministry was in the best position to solve issues of human trafficking as it plays a supervisory role in the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).